The return of CES

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: BBC Tech Tent reports from CES 2022 in Las Vegas, highlighting how pandemic conditions shaped a smaller but still busy show. The episode spotlights quirky and practical gadgets, from smart faucets and baby-cry analyzers to remote-controlled cars, while emphasizing themes of hybrid events, the metaverse, and the continued importance of hands-on product testing.

Main Topics: CES 2022 atmosphere and pandemic impact (Priority: 5/5): The show returned to Las Vegas after a virtual year, but with fewer major exhibitors, health precautions, and a noticeably smaller footprint. Organizers and presenters discussed the challenge and value of holding an in-person tech event during COVID-era uncertainty. Unusual and consumer gadgets on display (Priority: 5/5): Lara Lewington toured CES Unveiled and tested a range of eye-catching products, including a smart faucet, an AI baby-cry analyzer, a spoon that claims to improve taste, a motion pillow for snorers, and a home-presence lighting illusion. Tech trends: metaverse, AR glasses, crypto, cars (Priority: 4/5): The episode identifies recurring CES themes such as the metaverse, augmented-reality glasses, cryptocurrency products, and automotive technology, while noting that many offerings remain more conceptual than immediately useful. Remote-controlled car model as a mobility stopgap (Priority: 5/5): Spencer Kelly examines Halo’s remotely driven electric car concept, positioned as an interim solution before full autonomy arrives and as a response to on-demand consumer expectations and changing car ownership habits. Hybrid future for events and product demos (Priority: 4/5): Interviewees argue that physical events remain crucial for testing and relationship-building, but online and hybrid formats may persist because they can better serve some business audiences and smaller demos. Product usefulness vs novelty at CES (Priority: 4/5): Throughout the segment, presenters repeatedly weigh whether gadgets solve real problems or are mainly novelty items, using humor and practical testing to judge value beyond the showroom buzz.

Key Arguments: In-person tech shows still matter because products are easier to evaluate when people can touch, test, and compare them directly. CES 2022 was smaller and messier than pre-pandemic editions, but still drew enough exhibitors to sustain momentum and networking. Many CES products lean toward novelty or concept status, even when they showcase interesting engineering or design. Hybrid event models will likely remain important because they can preserve both physical product testing and remote business access. Remote-controlled cars may serve as a practical bridge toward future mobility as fully autonomous vehicles remain years away. Consumer habits are shifting toward on-demand access, subscriptions, and convenience, influencing mobility and other tech sectors. The metaverse and AR are emerging as visible industry themes, but their mainstream appeal remains uncertain. Several gadgets claim to solve niche problems—dog mood tracking, crying babies, snoring—but their real-world value can be questionable or difficult to prove.

Data Points: CES 2022 exhibitors: 2,300 companies - Organizer Karen Chupka said the show still hosted 2,300 companies despite some major withdrawals. Dog mood collar price: about $400 US dollars - A device analyzing a dog’s mood via heart rate variability was described as costing around $400. Dog customers in Japan: 2,000 customers - The dog communication product representative said they had 2,000 customers in Japan. Remote autonomous timeline: 10 plus years - Halo’s CEO said fully level-five autonomous cars for public roads are likely more than a decade away. Car parked time: 96% of the time - Halo argued that cars sit unused most of the time, supporting an on-demand model. Measured water test: 100 milliliters - A Moen smart faucet dispensed exactly 100 milliliters when asked via Alexa. Baby cry analysis: 91% angry / 8% sleepy - The baby-cry analyzer categorized a crying baby as mostly angry and partly sleepy. CES show frequency: 2022 / annual event - The episode centers on the yearly CES show and its 2022 return to Las Vegas.

Pivotal Quotes: "There's nothing like being live, right, and getting to touch and feel a product." — Karen Chupka: Organizer explaining why in-person CES matters despite pandemic disruption. "Why not a car?" — Anand Nundakumar: Halo CEO arguing that on-demand mobility should extend to cars, not just food delivery. "I think you'll be looking in vain." — BBC documentary promo narrator: Promo for 'Looking for No Man's Land' asking whether any untouched place on Earth remains.

Implications: CES remains a showcase for both real utility and gimmicks, but the pandemic accelerated hybrid formats and exposed how much value still comes from hands-on demos. Mobility, AR, and AI will keep evolving, yet consumer skepticism will matter more than ever.